LEARN NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Musculoskeletal · Case 11

Read the history, inspect the study, then reveal the teaching.

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IMAGE PLACEHOLDER · Diagnostic study

Original study · Companion image placeholders

Clinical history

A 65-year-old man with thyroid cancer presents for re-staging.

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Right Renal Obstruction

Imaging Findings

There is diffusely increased uptake within the right kidney without focal osseous uptake.

Diferential Diagnosis

Nephrolithiasis
Prostatitis

Essential Facts

Diffusely increased uptake in one kidney is concerning for obstruction
Diffusely increased uptake in both kidneys is concerning for acute tubular necrosis
Renal obstruction requires medical attention, as continuous injury can cause the insulted kidney to lose function.

Scan Information

Bone scans are useful to detect bone metastases, as well as other soft tissue abnormalities. A Tc-99m MDP single-phase bone scan (delayed, 3-hours) can be used to identify renal obstruction. Upon administration of Tc-99m MDP, a delayed phase scan will show a focal increase in tracer in the affected kidney.

References

Nuclear Medicine Case Review Series, by Harvey A. Ziessman, Elsevier, 2011, p. 17-18.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ie3LOc5F3RJvYvqD6nVyLqB49kn8J6Cz